The Blue Danube Discovery with 2 Nights in Budapest & 2 Nights in Prague 2026 - 12 Day River Cruise Budapest to Prague

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The Blue Danube Discovery with 2 Nights in Budapest & 2 Nights in Prague 2026

12 Day River Cruise Budapest to Prague



Tour Description:

This timeless European river cruise vacation begins with two nights in vibrant Budapest, Hungary before sailing along the Danube River with exciting stops in Austria and Germany. Your Danube River cruise concludes in the golden city of Prague—the capital of the Czech Republic. In Budapest, Hungary’s lively capital, marvel at the eight bridges spanning the river and enjoy an introduction to the city by a local expert who shows you the must-see sights. Embark your Avalon Suite Ship® from Budapest and enjoy an amazing view of the landscapes of Bratislava while sailing. Vienna, Austria, offers stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Habsburg Palace, and the Vienna Opera House.

In the heart of the Wachau wine region is Krems, a town seemingly untouched by the modern world. In Melk, visit majestic Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe’s largest monasteries, and enjoy a tasting of some of the Wachau Valley’s famous Austrian wines. You’ll love a guided walk through Passau, with its narrow streets and beautiful Patrician houses. Further up the Danube River, you’ll arrive at the medieval walls of Regensburg—the only German city not bombed during WWII. Your last stop is the 1000-year-old city of Nuremberg, where you’ll marvel at the medieval fortifications, extraordinary Gothic churches, and the Imperial Castle. Disembark and travel to beautiful Prague. See the sights with a Local Guide and enjoy exploring on your own. Stroll across Charles Bridge, mix with the locals on Wenceslaus Square, and shop for hand-cut crystal and art books. A perfect ending to a memorable river cruise vacation!

Map for The Blue Danube Discovery with 2 Nights in Budapest & 2 Nights in Prague 2026 - 12 Day River Cruise Budapest to Prague
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Dates & Pricing

Friday 15 May 26 — Wednesday 27 May 26Starting at $4,957 Get a Quote
Friday 12 Jun 26 — Wednesday 24 Jun 26Starting at $4,707 Get a Quote
Friday 26 Jun 26 — Wednesday 08 Jul 26Starting at $4,607 Get a Quote
Sunday 06 Sep 26 — Friday 18 Sep 26Starting at $5,482 Get a Quote
Sunday 04 Oct 26 — Friday 16 Oct 26Starting at $5,007 Get a Quote
Sunday 18 Oct 26 — Friday 30 Oct 26Starting at $4,807 Get a Quote
Sunday 01 Nov 26 — Friday 13 Nov 26Starting at $5,357 Get a Quote
Thursday 03 Dec 26 — Tuesday 15 Dec 26Starting at $5,457 Get a Quote
Saturday 12 Dec 26 — Thursday 24 Dec 26Starting at $4,607 Get a Quote


Destination & Sightseeing

Notes:
  • In the event of technical or water level issues, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or alter the program, including hotel overnight when necessary.
  • Guided Tours, Optional Excursions, activities, sailing and docking schedules may be contingent on weather conditions or other issues outside of our control and could therefore be subject to change at any time.
  • Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.

ITINERARY

Day 1
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY Welcome to Budapest—Hungary’s Captivating Capital The day is yours to relax and enjoy Eastern Europe’s shining city on the Danube

Day 2
BUDAPEST The Pearl of the Danube in the Heart of Europe CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Sightseeing, including the iconic Heroes’ Square. Take in the beauty of Budapest while enjoying a free afternoon exploring such famous sights as the Chain Bridge. Get to know the city’s cafés and pubs or take a hike through the hills above the Danube
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Day 3
BUDAPEST (EMBARKATION) Time for Coffee, and Confections With a free day to explore before your cruise, take time to take photographs on the Royal Palace grounds in this treasure trove of historical architecture. Try Budapest’s famous thermal bath spas, then lunch in a garden or rooftop eatery before boarding your Suite Ship®. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIENNA

Day 4
VIENNA, AUSTRIA Vienna Waltzes on the Beautiful Blue Danube Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host. Enjoy sailing the Danube, which shares dozens of miles with Hungary and Slovakia. Relax on the Sky Deck to see the rolling landscape and red rooftops of the Slovakian capital of Bratislava come into view. This evening in Vienna, you may choose to join an Optional Excursion to attend a Royal Waltz Concert for an unforgettable evening of music in an elegant hall. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIENNA
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Day 5
VIENNA Royal Collections and Amusing Attractions ACTIVE Explore Vienna's Danube Island by bike with your Adventure Host, OR; CLASSIC Explore the Habsburg empire this morning on a Guided City Tour of Vienna’s gilded landmarks. See the Imperial Palace complex—the winter residence of the Imperial Family, the iconic Vienna Opera House, and stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Join a Guided Optional Excursion to Schönbrunn Palace— summer home of the Habsburg Empire. Enjoy free time this afternoon to take a tram to visit Vienna’s Prater amusement park or one of the many museums nearby. You may also borrow a bike from the ship to explore Vienna’s square or the banks of the Danube. DISCOVERY Enjoy an onboard performance of the traditional Viennese Waltz and learn yourself a few graceful steps in this elegant cultural encounter. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO KREMS
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Day 6
KREMS–WACHAU VALLEY An Ancient Village and Vintages of the Wachau Valley Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities. ACTIVE Experience Wachau valley by bike with your Adventure Host, OR: DISCOVERY Join an interactive Wine World Experience with wine tasting, OR: CLASSIC Join a guided walk to explore this small valley town, seemingly untouched by the new world. Enjoy coffee or a cocktail on the Sky Deck as you sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley to Melk. MELK Frescoes Above and Vineyards Below CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey to marvel at its frescoed ceilings, statues, incredible library, and ornate pipe organ. DISCOVERY Enjoy the flavors of the Wachau Valley with a Wine Tasting on board. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO PASSAU
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Day 7
PASSAU, GERMANY Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers Meet CLASSIC Join a Guided City Walk to learn more about this beautiful “City of Three Rivers.” Alternatively, join a full-day Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg—the city of Mozart—or to the picturesque Bohemian town of Cesky Krumlov. Meet your ship back in Passau after your full-day selected activity for sailing. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO REGENSBURG
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Day 8
REGENSBURG Bavaria’s Medieval Miracle Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities. ACTIVE Explore Walhalla by bike with your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided City Walk and see Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria—built in 179 AD as the entrance to Castra Regina fortress. You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the Benedictine Monastery in Weltenburg. Alternatively spend a free afternoon exploring Regensburg on foot or by bike through its charming streets. This evening, enjoy live entertainment after dinner. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROTH
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Day 9
ROTH. EXCURSION TO NUREMBERG Legends and History Lessons CLASSIC Enjoy an Onboard Lecture about the Main-Danube Canal—linking these two rivers to make a vital connection enabling navigation between the North and Black Seas. ACTIVE Explore Roth's Lauter valley with your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the Bavarian town of Roth—with its half-timbered houses, market square, and 1535 hunting lodge Schloss Ratibor, OR: CLASSIC Choose a Guided Sightseeing of Nuremberg—with its medieval architecture, gilded fountain, Gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle, OR: CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds—used by the Third Reich. DISCOVERY Enjoy an onboard beer tasting. EVENING CRUISE TO NUREMBERG
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Day 10
NUREMBERG (DISEMBARKATION)–PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC Welcome to Prague! Explore the City of 100 Spires Enjoy free time to explore the Golden City of Prague and its surrounding countryside. Consider sampling delicious plum dumplings and traditional Pilsner lager

Day 11
PRAGUE Gothic Cathedrals, Grand Castles, and Great Cuisine CLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk, and visit the Hradčany Castle Grounds; see St. Vitus Cathedral, and Old Town’s Astronomical Clock. Spend free time hiking the nearby hillsides or stay in town to stroll the city of Prague to photograph its stunning cityscape. You might catch the entertaining street performers, admire the arches and statues decorating Charles Bridge, and sample Prague’s famous beer varieties in a local restaurant
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Day 12
PRAGUE Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning
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Accommodations

BudapestBudapestPraguePraguePrague
Budapest Marriott
Deluxe

Hotel as shown or similar

Apaczai Csere Janos U.4 Budapest Hungary

This modern 364 room property enjoys a prime downtown location and offers convenience blended with style. Free Wi-Fi access is available in the lobby and the hotel has a fitness center with sauna and Jacuzzi. The trendy Mediterranean Grill restaurant serves tasty Hungarian dishes and the stylish lounge bar offers tapas style food and cocktails.

FAQ Avalon Cruises Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

Pavlus Travel tells you there's a wide World out there just waiting to be explored on river cruises by you, and Avalon Waterways like Pavlus Travel knows there is more than a river cruise for you and your family to see it all. Why not experience local cities, villages, and countrysides your way with a wide selection of active excursions and activities brought to you by Avalon River Cruises that put you right in the middle of it all. Borrow a bike to ride through the streets of Amsterdam, grab a Nordic walking stick to capture the castle with a hike up the vineyard off the Rhine River, or paddle a canoe along Austria’s river shores. Pavlus makes it easy to turn sightseeing into doing your adventure in real time. You’ll find all the guidance and gear you from Avalon Waterways staff to embark on an expedition of your own. From a complimentary yoga class aboard your Avalon River Cruise to a jogging tour of Vienna or an optional kayaking excursion. Know that Pavlus Travel discounts Avalon River Cruises be they in Europe or the Far East. You'll enjoy every Avalon River Cruises Ship.